Town spirit, local ties key to Palmwoods' charm

A SMALL town spirit and local ties are still the Palmwoods way, even as the area moves into a new era of growth.

Cocoa Tree Cafe owner Pauline Smith has been running the business in Margaret St with her daughter since 2008.

Mrs Smith said loyal locals kept the business going, and she loved the quiet, village feel of Palmwoods.

"We're just far enough from the craziness,” she told the Daily.

"I think it's just a nice, natural place with natural beauty. It's not too commercialised.”

Mrs Smith said in turn, she used as much local produce as possible in the cafe.

"We try and keep it so we're keeping people in a job,” she said.

She had noticed more people coming into the area in more recent years.

"When we first got here, it was a lot quieter than it is now,” she said.

Across the road, Rick's Garage has made major changes since they opened as a garage and convenience store 15 years ago.

Five years ago the garage had to ditch their petrol bowsers when the state government bumped up safety requirements, and the owners acquired a liquor licence and opened the diner to help cover the loss.

"The business really evolved from there,” owner Ben Jamieson said.

Now Rick's Garage employs 57 staff and can seat 350 customers in the dining sections, but Mr Jamieson said the local residents still formed the heart of the business.

"The residents of Palmwoods are a really good supporter for us,” he said.

Motorbike riders and car enthusiasts enjoying a hinterland cruise brought an extra boost on weekends, along with plenty of tourists from the Gold Coast and Bundaberg.

"There's become a growing awareness around how good Palmwoods is,” Mr Jamieson said.

He said all the business owners in town shared a great relationship, and Palmwoods overall still enjoyed the "small town” spirit.

"Palmwoods is one of those ones that doesn't really move at a very rapid pace, which is fantastic for us.”